A GROWING number of graduates feel their qualifications are “worthless”.

Figures compiled by Dumfries and Galloway Citizens Advice Service show that the unemployment rate for recent graduates in the region is 18.9 per cent, more than double the national average.

D&G CAS is now asking recent graduates in the area to complete a major new survey which is investigating the problem of graduate unemployment.

The service’s chief executive, Sue Irving, said: “It used to be that having a degree meant you'd get a good job and your economic future was fairly assured. Well, not any more.

“Over the last few years we've seen many people here at the Citizens Advice Service who need financial advice and a surprising number of them are recent graduates who just can’t get a job.

“We give free advice to anyone, whatever their education or age. But in addition to that we also run specific surveys from time to time to investigate individual issues in detail.

“And with this survey we want to focus particularly on the challenges facing recent graduates.

“The survey is online and is open until May 7. It is available on the Citizens Advice Scotland website www.cas.org.uk and Facebook page.

“It is aimed at anyone in Scotland who has graduated in the last six years but we are particularly keen that people in Dumfries and Galloway have their say.”

CAS Chief Executive Susan McPhee added: “With this survey we are providing a platform to allow graduates to speak up about their situation.

“The survey is open to graduates of all ages. However, we've found that it is usually younger people who are most likely to be affected by these issues.

“As young people don't have much work experience, many employers are often reluctant to give them a chance, while those who do manage to get work are often victims to a 'last in, first out' redundancy policy.

“Many graduates have told us they feel that all the time, money and effort spent on their education now seems worthless.

“Some have told us they feel nobody ever listens to them. Well, we are listening now, and we promise that we will take the information you give us very seriously and will present it to both governments and all other relevant agencies so that they will do the same.”